There are no counters in native Japanese style, which makes it simpler to use in daily life, for example, if you want to order 1 coffee or 3 pieces of sushi.
One (1) is ひとつ (hitotsu, pronounced “hee-toh-tsoo”). Two (2) is ふたつ (futatsu, pronounced “foo-tah-tsoo”). Three (3) is みっつ (mittsu, pronounced “mee-tsoo. " Pause a beat between the two syllables). Four (4) is よっつ (yottsu, pronounced “yoh-tsoo”). Five (5) is いつつ (itsutsu, pronounced “ee-tsoo-tsoo”). There is no number for zero (0) in native Japanese style. For a zero, you would use the kanji character from the Sino-Japanese system.
Six (6) is むっつ (muttsu, pronounced “moo-tsoo”). Seven (7) is ななつ (nanatsu, pronounced “nah-nah-tsoo”). Eight (8) is やっつ (yattsu, pronounced “yah-tsoo”). Nine (9) is ここのつ (kokonotsu, pronounced “koh-koh-noh-tsoo”). Ten (10) is とう (tou, pronounced toh). You might have noticed that except for 10, all of these numbers end in “tsu” (つ). When you’re reading kanji, you can tell which number system is being used based on whether the number ends with this symbol.
One (1) is 一 (ichi, pronounced “ee-chee”). Two (2) is 二 (ni, pronounced “nee”). Three (3) is 三 (san, pronounced “sahn”). Four (4) is 四 (shi, pronounced “shee”). Because this word sounds like the Japanese word for death, the alternate pronunciation yon is also used – especially when talking about people. Five (5) is 五 (go, pronounced “goh”).
Six (6) is 六 (roku, pronounced “loh-koo”). Seven (7) is 七 (shichi, pronounced “shee-chee”). Because this has the same shi sound as in the number four, the alternate pronunciation nana is common. Eight (8) is 八 (hachi, pronounced “hah-chee”). Nine (9) is 九 (kyuu, pronounced “kyoo”). Ten (10) is 十 (juu, pronounced “joo”). You can also use these kanji with the native Japanese system. Simply add the “tsu” (つ) symbol after the kanji character. For example, 1 would be 一つ. You would read it as hitotsu, not ichi.
For example, 31 is 三十一: three tens and a one. You say it san juu ichi. 54 is 五十四: five tens and a four. You say it go juu shi.
For example, 一 目 means “first. " You would read it ichi me (pronounced “ee-chee meh”). You do the same thing with larger numbers. For example, 三十一 目 means “thirty-first. " However, in most cases you would be talking about the 31st something, such as the 31st time or someone’s 31st birthday. To say that, you would need an additional character, known as a counter, that is appropriate for that thing.
For example, 九 人 (kyuu nin, pronounced “kyoo neen”) means “nine people. " The first 2 counters are irregular. If you’re referring to one person, 一 人, you say hitori (pronounced “hee-tohr-ee”). If you’re referring to two people, 二 人, you say futari (pronounced “foo-tah-lee”). For all others, simply add nin to the word for the number.
For numbers 1 through 10, つ is used with the native Japanese system, not the Sino-Japanese system. While this counter applies to any 3-dimensional object, it can also be used for abstract things, such as thoughts, opinions, ideas, or reasons. Use the tsu counter when you’re placing an order for something – anything from a cup of coffee to pieces of sushi or concert tickets.
For example, you can use ko to talk about the difference in ages between to people, but not about how old a single person is. Generally speaking, if you use either ko or tsu as a counter, your meaning will be understood.
For example, 一回 means “one time. " However, if you add 目 to it you get 一回目, which means “the first time. " Similarly, 四人 means “four people. " Add the 目 and it becomes 四人目, “the fourth person. "
